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Does this mean war?

Posted at 1:35 PM on February 29, 2008
by Michael Marchio
(5 Comments)

Well, this week started on a divisive note, with the Legislature voting to override the governor on the transportation finance bill, and ended with the Senate effectively firing Carol Molnau as the head of MnDOT. Today on Midday, former state Sens. Roger Moe and Duane Benson discussed the atmosphere at the Capitol.

Now that the transportation finance bill is out of the way, I think we'll see a big uptick in points, with some of the bills that have been churning through committees finally seeing some daylight on the floor.

Perhaps the biggest question, and one that could certainly have MFL implications, is what direction the Republican "Gang of Six" that voted for the override will head, now that they've been stripped of their leadership posts.

Rep. Ron Ernhardt (R-Edina), had this to say about it:

"I told [Minority Leader Marty Siefert] that I was not voluntarily resigning, and to get rid of me he was going to have to fire me."

Here's Rep. Bud Heidgerken (R-Freeport):

"I always feel badly when people try to chastise me for doing right, until they prove to me that I've done wrong," said Heidgerken. "I will take the repercussions if I've done wrong. I will step down if I've done wrong -- but I have not done wrong. I have done right by my people."

Faced with the likely prospect of losing the Republican endorsement for this coming November, you have to wonder how much party loyalty these lawmakers are going feel.

If their very public spanking by party brass has angered these lawmakers enough to get a case of "Maverick-itis" and cross over to vote with the DFL more often, some bills that otherwise might not have had a shot at getting through the governor may pass. That could potentially be an MFL point bonanza. We'll have to wait and see.

We've had a couple of questions about waivers, with people seeing more than 6 lawmakers on their team and not being able to drop some of them. The only way you'll see more than 6 lawmakers on your team is if you're looking at the "roster summary." This shows every lawmaker you've had on your team thus far, even ones you've dropped on waivers. Your actual team page will show only your current 6 lawmakers. If there are any more questions, feel free to send them to me and I will try to get answers for you as soon as I can.

What do you MFL managers think? Will there be a defection in the House?

Comments (5)

man, I hope so. I plan on writing to all of the republicans who voted with their personal political agenda (rather than the Gov.). The gist will be "thank you for doing this - don't let them run you out of town". Well, I might think the individuals are idiots, otherwise, but I will encourage any politician to have big, brass balls and buck the party line and act as an independent - i.e., an person capable of independent thought.

I would hope that it might inspire others - to be objective, on either side of the aisle - to vote with their personal opinion, rather than a party line. I find it so annoying that every single vote seems to be so completely monopolized by one party.